Location

Description

Background

The fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly will take place from 11-15 March 2019, in Nairobi, Kenya, under the overarching theme “Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production”. The concept proposes that under this theme, the following focus areas will be addressed during the Assembly:

• Sustainable food systems including food security and eradication of hunger• Life-cycle approach to resource and waste management• Business development for sustainable development in a time of rapid technological change

The Assembly will be preceded by a Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, bringing together civil society organisation from around the globe.

In preparation to the Assembly, a regional pan-European Major Groups and Stakeholder Consultation will take place in Tallinn, Estonia, on 3-4 September 2018.

This consultation will allow representatives of the nine Major Groups from the pan-European region (Western and Central Europe, South Eastern Europe, Israel or Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia) to be actively engaged in the preparatory process of the Assembly, ensuring that regional views and challenges are properly identified and addressed during the Assembly. Furthermore, the outcomes of the third Environment Assembly and action taken for implementation will be discussed. Resource persons from UN Environment and the government of Estonia which has the presidency over the 2019 Assembly will be available.

Please clickhereto know more about 2019 Assembly or here to check the outcomes of the third UN Environmental Assembly held in 2017.

Starting from mid August, the participants will be provided with background documents to prepare the meeting and they will be encouraged to join preparatory conference calls webinars.

Registration deadline

-For those who need their travel costs covered by the organisers: 30 July 2018 (If you register between 1-13 August we will add you to our waiting list.) - For participants who can cover their travel costs or are based in Tallinn, registration is open until 13 August 2018.

Travel arrangements and logistics

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and the Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF) Estonia are organising this consultation in cooperation with UN Environment which is providing funding to cover the travel costs for a limited number of participants (approximately 20 participants). We want to make sure that as many people as possible can attend. Therefore, it is much appreciated if your organisation can cover your travel /accommodation costs itself.

The EEB will facilitate a transparent selection process to identify the participants whose travel and accommodation costs can be covered. The selection committee consists of the two Regional Representatives of the Major Groups, the two NGOs organising the RCM (EEB and BEF) as well as Leida Rijnhout, independent expert on the UNEA process.

Preference will be given to organisations accredited to UN Environment and the selection committee will try to get balanced participation in terms of expertise, geographical distribution, Major Group and gender. All participants will be informed shortly after the registration deadline about visa, travel and accommodation arrangements.

If your participation is sponsored by us, we will cover your travel, visa, accommodation, local travel and meal costs during the event (that is, all main meals between dinner on 2 September and lunch/coffee break on 4 September). No additional allowance will be provided. Depending on available flights, you will either arrive on September 2 or 3 Tallinn and leave either on September 4 or 5.

Vegetarian food will be served throughout the event. If you have any other dietary requirements please contact kai.klein@bef.ee

Additional events / meetings

On Wednesday 5 September, a High-level International Environment Conference entitled “The Earth Innovation Forum” will be organised by the Estonian Ministry of Environment. The outcomes of the Conference will also contribute to the preparations towards UNEA-4. For registration and additional information about this event please check the event website.

In case you wish to participate, kindly note that the Estonian government is organising this event. Please be aware that we cannot cover the extra accommodation costs related to the participation to this event.